LAUSR

Abstract Synthesis of glycerol carbonate is industrially significant due to its varied applications in several areas such as paints, coatings, detergents, membranes, polyurethane foams, solvents, etc. In this work, a green process was developed for the synthesis of glycerol carbonate from glycerolysis of urea using MgO as catalyst. The new catalytic route is very attractive with minimal unit operations, since ammonia released as co-product can easily be separated from system and used in urea synthesis. Magnesium oxide was synthesized by combustion method. The catalyst was characterized completely using SEM, XRD, TPD and N2 adsorption-desorption. A systematic study was conducted to evaluate the effect of various parameters on initial rate of reaction, conversion and selectivity. Thus, reaction mechanism and kinetics were established. Magnesium oxide exhibited excellent catalytic behaviour in the production of glycerol carbonate with conversions up to 71% in 6 h with 100% selectivity at 150 °C and atmospheric condition. The catalyst is easily recoverable and reusable in subsequent cycles of reaction without any loss of activity.